|
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 79
Campfire Greenhorn
|
OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 79 |
So I’ve decided to cast my own muzzleloader bullets. I’m completely new to bullet casting I’ve reloaded for several years but never any casting. There are short sections about casting in some of my reloading manuals but they seem kind of vague. So any advice or tricks would be greatly appreciated. Some of it I’m sure I’ll have to learn the hard way
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,235
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,235 |
Here is a link to a site with a wealth of cast bullet information. Everything you should need to produce very good bullets. The Lyman Cast Bullet handbook is also a very good resource. Los Angeles Silhouette ClubThe Lyman Cast Bullet handbook is also a very good resource.
Let's Go Brandon! FJB
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,122
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,122 |
What NVhntr said.
Couple of fine points: DO NOT attempt to cast with hard alloys. Pure lead or pure with a very small amount of tin, say 60:1. If you’re planning to cast bullets bore diameter to maybe +001”. Use a BP lube, not ALOX. There is discussion in this in the LASC web site. Temperature is your buddy, or worst enemy. Cast pure lead or the 60:1 alloy at 800*.
I am..........disturbed.
Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 79
Campfire Greenhorn
|
OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 79 |
So thanks for the advice the website was helpful thought I’d post a follow up. I cast some last night and went out and shot them this evening. They were a .452 300 grain Lee mold. Harvester crush rib sabot and 85 grains of blackhorn. They loaded really easy almost had me nervous but I did run them through a sizer last night though not sure they needed it shooting in a sabot. The few I measured were only 1 to 2 thousandths off. After a few scope adjustments I was able to keep them all inside a 2 inch target at 50 yards and right at dusk I shot two from 100 yards that were touching but 7 inches low....they drop like anchors. But all in all I’m pretty pleased. I didn’t know what to expect. The other concern I had before I shot them was the ones I weighed were ranging from 307 to 315 grains. Maybe that number will tighten up the more practice I get casting.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,235
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,235 |
Sounds like you're on the right track.
Let's Go Brandon! FJB
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 185
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 185 |
I use a ladle is your friend when casting large bullets and those of best quality. Bottom pour for speed or when casting smaller bullets.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 496
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 496 |
Preheat your molds, make sure you use some flux in the lead. It will help get out the impurities. If flux isn't available, I have used beeswax as a substitute. Personally, I add a little tin to make the lead flow better. I add some babbit when making hard cast hunting bullets and I water quench them. It's a very fine line between hard and too hard. Too hard and the bullets will crack and fracture. A good thermometer will be one of your best and relatively cheap investments. Good Luck!
(1*)
Aim Small Miss Small
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 504
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 504 |
You can not clean and flux your lead too much.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,992
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,992 |
I'll 2nd the suggestion to get the Lyman Cast Bullet book. Another good one is "From Ingot to Target" that can be downloaded for free.
Get a casting thermometer. I cast a long time without one, so it can be done. Knowing the temperature removes some of the guessing.
Clean your mold before using it. I use Brakecleaner and an old tooth brush. Also lube the line-up pins and sprue plate.
Pre-heat your mold. A $12 Walmart hot plate works well for this. Also, pre-heating your ingots before putting them in the pot reduces your wait time.
With practice you should be able to reduce the weight difference by quite a bit. The difference in weight between my pistol bullets is real close to what Sierra bullets weight difference is. I'm talking 10ths of a grain, not grains! So, it can be done.
lightman
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,350
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,350 |
Gotta have a good cigar. First thing I learned..
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 2,340
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 2,340 |
I've never got into it. At least yet but, it's probably in my future. I let a friend of mine borrow my molds.
Why do I have to press 1, for English?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,518
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,518 |
Clean your molds really well before heating really well after fluxing your melt really well. Best advice I can give you.
If we live long enough, we all have regrets. But the ones that nag at us the most are the ones in which we know we had a choice.
Doug
|
|
|
|
530 members (1beaver_shooter, 1936M71, 17CalFan, 1badf350, 160user, 22250rem, 44 invisible),
2,550
guests, and
1,356
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,191,710
Posts18,475,395
Members73,941
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|